Controversial new Jeep Cherokee uncovered

US brand says its new Cherokee SUV is boldly styled, but the internet flaming has already begun.

February 24 2013

Matt Campbell

Jeep Cherokee

Jeep Cherokee

Jeep Cherokee

Jeep Cherokee

Jeep Cherokee

Jeep Cherokee

Jeep Cherokee

2013 Jeep Cherokee

2013 Jeep Cherokee

2013 Jeep Cherokee

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"Kill it with fire", "epicsupermegafail face", and "the catfish".

Those are some of the harsher critiques that greeted Jeep's "bold" new Cherokee on automotive websites around the world within hours of its unveiling.

The all-new mid-size SUV features polarising styling, with the recognisable seven-slot grille sporting a prominent horizontal crease through its centre. Slimline headlights and larger, squared-off fog-lights and a thick, angular front bumper help cement the new look for a Cherokee that clearly looks as though it will appeal to a different market to the squarer Cherokees that have typified the breed.

The boldly-styled new Jeep Cherokee SUV.

Little detail has been released about the new model, but it is believed to be based on the same underpinnings as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta - and the all-new Cherokee could be smaller than the model it replaces.

The car is expected to be powered by a range of new engines, including small capacity diesel and petrol powertrains borrowed from the Fiat stable. Jeep has confirmed there will be efficiency improvements of "more than 45 per cent" over the current version